Convertibles- Are they really reinforced? Options

[nitemare]

I own a 95 GT Convertible. Little did I know when I opened the door panel, it had a sticker saying top was installed in california. I then found out all the celica's came oversees with hardtops- then chopped off in the states and made into a convertible. This sounds very shady. I have a tough time believing toyota actually reinforced the structure as well. Ive has so many problems with the "aftermarket" convertible. If I knew toyota outsourced this to some company, I would have never bought this convertible. The fact is was a hard top transformed into convertible makes me wonder how safe the car really is..

Can anyone confirm celica was reinforced??

[madmods]

I own a 95 GT Convertible. Little did I know when I opened the door panel, it had a sticker saying top was installed in california.  I then found out all the celica's came oversees with hardtops- then chopped off in the states and made into a convertible. This sounds very shady.  I have a tough time believing toyota actually reinforced the structure as well.  Ive has so many problems with the "aftermarket" convertible. If I knew toyota outsourced this to some company, I would have never bought this convertible.  The fact is was a hard top transformed into convertible makes me wonder how safe the car really is..

Can anyone confirm celica was reinforced??
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asc does nearly all the convertible conversions in the Us for all the big dealerships toyota, chevrolet, etc.
There are federal requirements in place for these cars when they are converted. The chassis is beefed up with inserts added in to the body and doors. Long rails are added from one wheelbase to another to keep the body from flexing. They actually do a pretty good job at it and its not a "shady" job. If it was, the convertible would not be around. Also note that only the big car manufacturers have verts, not the smaller new ones(kia, hundyai, etc) Saturn is making there new vert next year and it looks hot.

I was once told that the windshield pillar is suppose to be able to hold the cars weight up. I don't know if its true, so don't flip your car!

This post has been edited by madmods: Mar 10, 2005 - 6:51 PM

[Coomer]

Are you sure that they were shipped over here as coupes and then modified? I know I've seen ST202 convertibles before.

And even if they were shipped here and modified, Toyota would find someone who does a perfect job to do the work, not your average shop, so you don't need to worry about it.

You should get your car on a lift and take some pictures of the underside if you can...I'm curious to see what it looks like on a convertible.

[madmods]

Are you sure that they were shipped over here as coupes and then modified? I know I've seen ST202 convertibles before.

And even if they were shipped here and modified, Toyota USA would do the work, not your average shop, so you don't need to worry about it.

You should get your car on a lift and take some pictures of the underside if you can...I'm curious to see what it looks like on a convertible.
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The bottom sides are flat and not rounded like the coupes or hatchback. its like they cut into the bottom and added some flatbar all the way across. thats how I was able to fit the 7th gen sideskirts on my car. If it was rounded, it would have not worked.

[shid]

Coomer, ASC is in Arizona. They were shipped here as coupes. I have also seen the ST202 Vert (you showed it to me) and I can only assume either they were shipped out from ASC here in the states, or a different company did them overseas

As far as shoddy work, ASC does very nice work. For instance, they also did the VR4 Spider- which was a hardtop and had to handle upwards of 400hp.

As for being 'really' reinforced, Jay has seen the plans, and I believe has plans to postthem on the site oneday.

[2003cbgts]

dont mean to hijack this thread, but how durable is the celi convet top? is it pretty good at keeping water out? like is it just one layer of protection?

[Insanity-74]

All convertables arrive in the US as hard tops, the vehicle arrives in the U.S. as a partially assembled vehicle. At ASC, the roof is removed and a three-layer insulated and power-operated top is installed. Thats how Celicas become convertables in the US

[saleeka]

A company called Griffen (sp) made the 2nd gen. convertables for Toyota, and 3rd gen onwards have all been ASC (american sunroof corporation). Toyota and ASC have colaberated and cooperated together on all of their celica convertible projects from the 3rg gen's design on, and therefore they are very, very good products. ASC is also responsible for the current and last Toyota Solara convertibles... Also, the vast majority of convertables on the road were all designed with the intention of having a fixed roof, with the convertible 'stiffining added later. there are eare exceptions like the Merc. SL's and SLK's, Porsche boxters, the SC430, ect...

This post has been edited by saleeka: Mar 10, 2005 - 9:43 PM

[DamDirtyApes]

but why put a roof on only to cut it off..?

[jgreening]

Wow. I have never seen a thread with so much misinformation - well maybe threads discussing the mr2t tranny for the 3s swap .

ASC stands for American Specialty Cars. The name was changed in January of 2004 from American Sunroof Corporation. It is a Michigan business. They did chop the coupe and make it a convertible and they did it in a California plant (Pomona, I believe).

I know of no federal requirements for chopping cars and making them convertibles. There are federal safety requirements that apply to all new cars sold including ones that are chopped by another company for the OEM. I do not know if the government regulates things like ridgity though - I would doubt it does.

There are no differences in the doors and there are no extra rails that are added to the bottom of the car. There were no structural modifications that were done in front of the lock pillar (where the door latches to the car by the lock). Most of the structural modifications were done to support the roof and to limit chassis flex.

The Saturn Skye and other cars like the vette, boxster, z4, etc were DESIGNED as convertibles. There was no chop job so the ridgity is better.

Finally, there is NO WAY that the A pillar is designed to hold up if the car rolls. The fact of the matter is that 6th gen convertibles were not designed as performance cars. So, if you do something crazy like swap a 3s in a convertible, please drive safely....

[madmods]

Wow.  I have never seen a thread with so much misinformation - well maybe threads discussing the mr2t tranny for the 3s swap  . 

ASC stands for American Specialty Cars.  The name was changed in January of 2004 from American Sunroof Corporation.  It is a Michigan business.  They did chop the coupe and make it a convertible and they did it in a California plant (Pomona, I believe).

I know of no federal requirements for chopping cars and making them convertibles.  There are federal safety requirements that apply to all new cars sold including ones that are chopped by another company for the OEM.  I do not know if the government regulates things like ridgity though - I would doubt it does. 

There are no differences in the doors and there are no extra rails that are added to the bottom of the car.  There were no structural modifications that were done in front of the lock pillar (where the door latches to the car by the lock).  Most of the structural modifications were done to support the roof and to limit chassis flex.

The Saturn Skye and other cars like the vette, boxster, z4, etc were DESIGNED as convertibles.  There was no chop job so the ridgity is better.

Finally, there is NO WAY that the A pillar is designed to hold up if the car rolls.  The fact of the matter is that 6th gen convertibles were not designed as performance cars.  So, if you do something crazy like swap a 3s in a convertible, please drive safely....
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Thanks J for straightnening some things up, especially about the pillar. I hope I never flip my vert. I cant agree with you on the rails in the bottom, cuz I got them. Its the piece where the sideskirt goes on. it looks like a piece of flat plate that has been welded on. i can't agree with you on the the door pillar where the latches are by the handle.

[saleeka]

And yes Coomer you are right- there are 202 verts, and they were made by ASC as well. As for the JDM convertibles, 88 (4th gen) was the first year for them and they were equipped like the JDM GT-R's right down to the 3S-GE with 140 PS. The 5th gens came in 2 models, convertible, and convertible type G, both having the 165 PS 3S-GE and 4WS. 6th Gens came as 2 models as well, convertible, and type X, with the 180 PS 3S-GE. Last of the line 98's and 99's were 1 model only, and they came with the 200 PS BEAMS 3S (but only auto)... So I wouldent worry about the chassis rigidity being crappy for our tame 5S-FE motor...

[jgreening]

I cant agree with you on the rails in the bottom, cuz I got them. Its the piece where the sideskirt goes on. it looks like a piece of flat plate that has been welded on. i can't agree with you on the the door pillar where the latches are by the handle.

To quote my high school science teacher, you can disagree all you want, it still doesn't change the truth.

In all seriousness, all I am saying is that there may be differences - they just aren't structural. I have seen the ASC drawings so I am quite sure I am correct. Heck, we know that the convertible comes with different sideskirts - no one would claim those provide any structural ridgity. Well, no one who knows what they are talking about.

[jgreening]

And yes Coomer you are right- there are 202 verts, and they were made by ASC as well. As for the JDM convertibles, 88 (4th gen) was the first year for them and they were equipped like the JDM GT-R's right down to the 3S-GE with 140 PS. The 5th gens came in 2 models, convertible, and convertible type G, both having the 165 PS 3S-GE and 4WS. 6th Gens came as 2 models as well, convertible, and type X, with the 180 PS 3S-GE. Last of the line 98's and 99's were 1 model only, and they came with the 200 PS BEAMS 3S (but only auto)... So I wouldent worry about the chassis rigidity being crappy for our tame 5S-FE motor... 
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Saleeka is THE Celica historian! Good work.

[saleeka]

ha thanks... If you have model breakdown/history/equippent questions I typically can tell you what you need to know

[madmods]

I cant agree with you on the rails in the bottom, cuz I got them. Its the piece where the sideskirt goes on. it looks like a piece of flat plate that has been welded on. i can't agree with you on the the door pillar where the latches are by the handle.

To quote my high school science teacher, you can disagree all you want, it still doesn't change the truth.

In all seriousness, all I am saying is that there may be differences - they just aren't structural. I have seen the ASC drawings so I am quite sure I am correct. Heck, we know that the convertible comes with different sideskirts - no one would claim those provide any structural ridgity. Well, no one who knows what they are talking about.
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I'm so tired of arguing with people, I just spent a week doing that on these post. Sideskirts has nothing to do with what i posted. The piece the sideskirts bolts on to is a reinforcement to keep the body from flexing. please don't make me post a picture of it. I dont understand what you mean that there are no structural diiferences. The coupe goes to asc partially assembled where the top is cut and its reinforced in many areas to strenghtened the chassis. This reinforcement means metal is welded on to the chassis for structural strength. So whats your difination of structural? Its difference then mine and I'm not going sit here and say I know it all and say nobody knows anything.

[jgreening]

I cant agree with you on the rails in the bottom, cuz I got them. Its the piece where the sideskirt goes on. it looks like a piece of flat plate that has been welded on. i can't agree with you on the the door pillar where the latches are by the handle.

To quote my high school science teacher, you can disagree all you want, it still doesn't change the truth.

In all seriousness, all I am saying is that there may be differences - they just aren't structural. I have seen the ASC drawings so I am quite sure I am correct. Heck, we know that the convertible comes with different sideskirts - no one would claim those provide any structural ridgity. Well, no one who knows what they are talking about.
[right][snapback]255875[/snapback][/right]

I'm so tired of arguing with people, I just spent a week doing that on these post. Sideskirts has nothing to do with what i posted. The piece the sideskirts bolts on to is a reinforcement to keep the body from flexing. please don't make me post a picture of it. I dont understand what you mean that there are no structural diiferences. The coupe goes to asc partially assembled where the top is cut and its reinforced in many areas to strenghtened the chassis. This reinforcement means metal is welded on to the chassis for structural strength. So whats your difination of structural? Its difference then mine and I'm not going sit here and say I know it all and say nobody knows anything.
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I didn't mean to offend you or argue with you Paul. I can post the diagrams if you want.

[orvillescelica]

im not part of any arguement on the rigidity of the vert, i really have no clue either way...

But if you could post those diagrams Jay, they would be great to see.

[jgreening]

I will post them. I want to say one more thing to madmods. I was not trying to say he implied the sideskirts are structural. I just used that as an example of changes that are not on the diagrams that ended up on the vert. The diagrams include the structural changes that were made.

[madmods]

I cant agree with you on the rails in the bottom, cuz I got them. Its the piece where the sideskirt goes on. it looks like a piece of flat plate that has been welded on. i can't agree with you on the the door pillar where the latches are by the handle.

To quote my high school science teacher, you can disagree all you want, it still doesn't change the truth.

In all seriousness, all I am saying is that there may be differences - they just aren't structural. I have seen the ASC drawings so I am quite sure I am correct. Heck, we know that the convertible comes with different sideskirts - no one would claim those provide any structural ridgity. Well, no one who knows what they are talking about.
[right][snapback]255875[/snapback][/right]

I'm so tired of arguing with people, I just spent a week doing that on these post. Sideskirts has nothing to do with what i posted. The piece the sideskirts bolts on to is a reinforcement to keep the body from flexing. please don't make me post a picture of it. I dont understand what you mean that there are no structural diiferences. The coupe goes to asc partially assembled where the top is cut and its reinforced in many areas to strenghtened the chassis. This reinforcement means metal is welded on to the chassis for structural strength. So whats your difination of structural? Its difference then mine and I'm not going sit here and say I know it all and say nobody knows anything.
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I didn't mean to offend you or argue with you Paul. I can post the diagrams if you want.
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Sorry bro, me too!

[Drocay]

The piece the sideskirts bolts on to is a reinforcement to keep the body from flexing. please don't make me post a picture of it. I dont understand what you mean that there are no structural diiferences.
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I got a regular coupe, and i got that strip too. i don't think its special for verts.

[Insanity-74]

Wow.  I have never seen a thread with so much misinformation
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Well I dont know if you are refering to me or not but I got my information from Toyotas own Website covering the History of the Celica from its first production in 1971 to the current version if its not correct then Ooops my bad for copying it and posting it here.

[madmods]

The piece the sideskirts bolts on to is a reinforcement to keep the body from flexing. please don't make me post a picture of it. I dont understand what you mean that there are no structural diiferences.
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I got a regular coupe, and i got that strip too. i don't think its special for verts.
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Can you shoot a pic of it? Mine looks like reinforcement, and looks awful witout a sideskirt. Its like the body curves to the bottom, then out of nowhere a flat panel.

[jgreening]

Wow.  I have never seen a thread with so much misinformation
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Well I dont know if you are refering to me or not but I got my information from Toyotas own Website covering the History of the Celica from its first production in 1971 to the current version if its not correct then Ooops my bad for copying it and posting it here.
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Wasn't referring to you. If you got it from Toyota, how could it be misinformation?

[madmods]

Hey, I found this pic after a lot of looking. There are so many hatchbacks in the coupe section!. Mine looks completely different at the bottom. Its like they cut into the body and welded a piece of long flat bar in, to keep the chasis from flexing once you open the doors. My stock bottom also seems lower. Tommorow I'll shoot a pic of my car.


This post has been edited by madmods: Mar 10, 2005 - 11:47 PM

[jgreening]

Hey, I found this pic after a lot of looking. There are so many hatchbacks in the coupe section!. Mine looks completely different at the bottom. Its like they cut into the body and welded a piece of long flat bar in, to keep the chasis from flexing once you open the doors. My stock bottom also seems lower. Tommorow I'll shoot a pic of my car.

Interesting. I look forward to it. From your perspective, is it going to prevent me from bolting on my 404 sides?

This post has been edited by jgreening: Mar 10, 2005 - 11:51 PM

[madmods]

Hey, I found this pic after a lot of looking. There are so many hatchbacks in the coupe section!. Mine looks completely different at the bottom. Its like they cut into the body and welded a piece of long flat bar in, to keep the chasis from flexing once you open the doors. My stock bottom also seems lower. Tommorow I'll shoot a pic of my car.

Interesting. I look forward to it. From your perspective, is it going to prevent me from bolting on my 404 sides?
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g-dog Im sure the 404 sides will fit.

[shid]

ASC is NOT in Arizona? Where in gods name did I get that info..

[madmods]

ASC is NOT in Arizona? Where in gods name did I get that info..
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Shid, that crack pipe is getting to you! j/k

[saleeka]

ok- here is a pic of my car that has the best view of that bar you are talking about...



if you look where my arrows are, you can see a strip of grayish color that runs the bottom of the car, most pronounced just in front of the rear wheel where it starts. Anybody who has changed a flat knows you have to mount your jack on the proper spot on this strip and i do apologize for the blurry image conversion...

[Drocay]

yup, thats it thats wut i was talking about.

[madmods]

Thanks for the pics bro. Thats not the bar Im talking about though. Its the little strip right under where the door opens, not underneath the car. its like they cut out a long strip and put in this flat bar.

[madmods]

Heres some old pics, but there not good. I will take some good pics tommorow. See how the part just goes straight down and does not follow the curve of the red coupe.

[saleeka]

i do see that... the bottom pic shows it best... and after seeing that, it makes sense why the vert has that black sideskirt fit the way it does... hmmm

[bloodrain]

I called up a shop (Mad Mods in florida) to see if it would be possible to do a targa top, but he said the car needs to be reinforced and stuff. :-( too bad, he said it would cost about $3000 to do it. I really wanted it to.

[nitemare]

  They did chop the coupe and make it a convertible and they did it in a California plant (Pomona, I believe).

I know of no federal requirements for chopping cars and making them convertibles.  There are federal safety requirements that apply to all new cars sold including ones that are chopped by another company for the OEM.  I do not know if the government regulates things like ridgity though - I would doubt it does. 

There are no differences in the doors and there are no extra rails that are added to the bottom of the car.  There were no structural modifications that were done in front of the lock pillar (where the door latches to the car by the lock).  Most of the structural modifications were done to support the roof and to limit chassis flex.

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So far, I have to AGREE with this reply..I have not read anything (or see anything) on my convertible that makes me believe any reinforcement was added.
I know ASC did the job.
I already replaced the entire outer top due to wear after 7 years. They say its normal. I have replaced both back motors that lift top up and down. I have already replaced both motors on both sides that power convertible side windows. I must give ASC an F in quality. I have never seen such a poorly manufactured top before. Its very odd that almost NOTHING else breaks on the celica but something related to the top. For this, I can not believe ASC actually went the extra length to reinforce it when their own products malfunction.
Thanks for all your replies. Great thread

[jgreening]

  They did chop the coupe and make it a convertible and they did it in a California plant (Pomona, I believe).

I know of no federal requirements for chopping cars and making them convertibles.  There are federal safety requirements that apply to all new cars sold including ones that are chopped by another company for the OEM.  I do not know if the government regulates things like ridgity though - I would doubt it does. 

There are no differences in the doors and there are no extra rails that are added to the bottom of the car.  There were no structural modifications that were done in front of the lock pillar (where the door latches to the car by the lock).  Most of the structural modifications were done to support the roof and to limit chassis flex.

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So far, I have to AGREE with this reply..I have not read anything (or see anything) on my convertible that makes me believe any reinforcement was added.
I know ASC did the job.
I already replaced the entire outer top due to wear after 7 years. They say its normal. I have replaced both back motors that lift top up and down. I have already replaced both motors on both sides that power convertible side windows. I must give ASC an F in quality. I have never seen such a poorly manufactured top before. Its very odd that almost NOTHING else breaks on the celica but something related to the top. For this, I can not believe ASC actually went the extra length to reinforce it when their own products malfunction.
Thanks for all your replies. Great thread
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Do you have a 95-97 nightmare or 98-99? The reason I ask is that I have read that they replaced the top motors in 98 and I have yet to find someone with a 98-99 that have had any problems. There are several 95-97 owners that have had problems though.

[shid]

You think 7 years is a bad lifespan for a soft top? You're crazy, thats GREAT time on a top. On some other cars it's as little as 3 years. As far as the quality of the top, perhaps the owner before your car had it replaced with a lessor quality one? I know mine is outstanding if you bother to take care of it

The original factory motors go out. Yes they do. I have a 97, and it went out. Get it replaced. Thats all. Sorry you have to go through with it.

[DamDirtyApes]

why would they just cut the tops off, isnt that awaste of money and resources. why not come without a top from the factory?

[2003cbgts]

anything we can put on our tops to better protect them?

[nitemare]

Do you have a 95-97 nightmare or 98-99? The reason I ask is that I have read that they replaced the top motors in 98 and I have yet to find someone with a 98-99 that have had any problems. There are several 95-97 owners that have had problems though.
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[/quote]

95 is the year I got..So I guess toyota noticed alot of problems with the motors...More than normal..
And yes, One owner owned the car before me. And no parts were changed/modified. The top was the original. What actually made me replace the top was we had a snow storm. The weight of the snow (about 8 inches) broke the back window off the top and fell into my back seat. The reason why this happened was because the seams of the top were all worn and torn. So the snow was the breaking straw. My new top has a 3-yr warranty with it so thats good. So I can attribute that to old age..

But the motors..ohh the motors..If I knew before hand these cars were chopped up like they were, I would have not have bought a convertible celica.

[madmods]

[quote=nitemare,Mar 11, 2005 - 9:38 PM]
Do you have a 95-97 nightmare or 98-99? The reason I ask is that I have read that they replaced the top motors in 98 and I have yet to find someone with a 98-99 that have had any problems. There are several 95-97 owners that have had problems though.
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[/quote]

95 is the year I got..So I guess toyota noticed alot of problems with the motors...More than normal..
And yes, One owner owned the car before me. And no parts were changed/modified. The top was the original. What actually made me replace the top was we had a snow storm. The weight of the snow (about 8 inches) broke the back window off the top and fell into my back seat. The reason why this happened was because the seams of the top were all worn and torn. So the snow was the breaking straw. My new top has a 3-yr warranty with it so thats good. So I can attribute that to old age..

But the motors..ohh the motors..If I knew before hand these cars were chopped up like they were, I would have not have bought a convertible celica.
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[/quote]
Sorry I couldn't post pics today, Im just sleeping and going to work. Trying to buy some rims so Im doing 12 hr days + sat and sunday. I can tell you for a fact that the car is enforced because I have had 3 different sideskirts on there. As far as the top and problems.....mine were 1 motor went dead, both rear windows the plastic wheel busted that rolls on the tracts, the main frame was cracked when I bought the car(thank god I found a full top on ebay). Personally I think asc does good work. I will try and post pics on sunday.

[saleeka]

Toyota, as with 95% of all the other convertibles out there, have their roofs sawed off because of this, and its simple- ITS CHEAPER! Most car companies find no reason to design a car as strictly a soft top- the sales are way too low to justify the cost to produce a seperate chassis- thats why they decide to take an existing platform and modify it to suit the conditions of a soft top, plain and simple. Its cheaper to design reinforcements on an existing frame than it is to design a totally new one... And for those who find it unreliable to have more than 5+ years on a soft top, you arent truely prepared for the extra costs of what a convertible brings... Just be glad 6th gens had GLASS windows, not the fades in 6 months plastic of the 4TH and 5TH gens You thing Sebring tops are more reliable???

[lil_lissa]

i love my convertible celi and wouldn't trade it for anything

[2003cbgts]

^^^ cool.. so most of you guys are happy with your verts?

[Mr_E]

Sorry, the convertables in the US are standard tin tops that have been hacked? All be it professionally hacked?

I'm sure Toyota made 'verts from the factory. I know people who have them. And they're significantly heavier than the tin top, which indicates some reinforcement to stiffen the whole thing up a bit.

Most interesting.

[shid]

Mr E, I'm pretty sure toyota did NOT make verts straight from the factory- if they did, they're still just chop tops with the ASC design probably

[saleeka]

the only toyota convertibles that have been made at the factory are the MR2 Spider, and the lexus SC430... thats it...

[jgreening]

so what happened to all those pics showing the differences between the frame on the convertibles and coupes? This has my curiosity.

[Mr_E]

Mr E, I'm pretty sure toyota did NOT make verts straight from the factory- if they did, they're still just chop tops with the ASC design probably
[right][snapback]256586[/snapback][/right]

Well you live and learn.

Where were the JDM/Euro cars converted?

Might explain the eye watering price then.......


Same story for the 5th generation?

[madmods]

so what happened to all those pics showing the differences between the frame on the convertibles and coupes?  This has my curiosity.
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I will get them on here. I just have not had time J. Im very busy, and i got to remove my skirts to take a pic, which means i got to drill out the rivets. There is a bar thats welded on in there and its double walled(I have drilled into it many times.
I'm doing the nopi show this weekend so you might have to wait, but I will get them on.

[jgreening]

so what happened to all those pics showing the differences between the frame on the convertibles and coupes?  This has my curiosity.
[right][snapback]258387[/snapback][/right]

I will get them on here. I just have not had time J. Im very busy, and i got to remove my skirts to take a pic, which means i got to drill out the rivets. There is a bar thats welded on in there and its double walled(I have drilled into it many times.
I'm doing the nopi show this weekend so you might have to wait, but I will get them on.
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Thanks. No rush, I am just curious.

[FallenHero]

somebody needs to take a second gen MR2 to be converted.

[Mr_E]

somebody needs to take a second gen MR2 to be converted.
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They look good actually. Not sure how well they drive.

[red_94gts]

somebody needs to take a second gen MR2 to be converted.
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i believe in 97 there were a few made by a seperate company called the mr2 spyder. but i dont think they were available outside of japan

[madmods]

Ok these pictures will put an end to this. yes the body is reinforced at the bottom and different then the coupes. Look at the bar and the welds in the pics

[creis]

thoes welds are crap, talk about "shady" work, I bet that what your looking at is from something/someone's attempt to either stragthen it themselfes, or from a independant shop that did the convertion. I highly doubt toyota would sell it like that, even with it coved by a skirt.

[carlosfandango]

thats a great thread.

enjoyed reading the tech info.

[coughdrop]

Hiya

I have a Toyota Press Release from 1994 when the vert was launched in Europe (rather long) as follows;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 October 1994

WRAPS COME OFF TOYOTA CELICA CABRIOLET

* European debut at British International Motor Show *
(NEC, Birmingham, 18th-30th October)

The new Toyota Cabriolet, the first convertible Celica in the UK for six years, is unveiled today at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham.

One of the focal points of the Toyota stand, it has a luxury specification including an electrically-powered roof and leather upholstery, and is light and rigid to provide high levels of handling and refinement.

The Cabriolet's body is based an the GT Coupe, a model not sold in Europe, which has different rear-end treatment and lights. Elsewhere it is similar to the GT version of the sixth-generation Celica which was launched in the UK market in February this year.

The conversion work on the car is engineered by the specialist American company ASC, with which Toyota has worked for around ten years. The hood is completely new, and designed for easier operation than the model it replaces (which was not marketed in the UK). It features twin electric motors to power the new gear-driven hood mechanism, giving more precise control than the previous hydraulic system and allowing the top to join perfectly with the windscreen. New vertical latches secure and release the top more easily.

Space in the rear of convertibles is usually restricted, but the new Celica Cabriolet creates significantly more room by employing a roof frame which moves the side-rails outwards as it folds back. The result is 260 mm more rear shoulder room. The die-cast alloy frame also uses new, permanently-lubricated bushings with fine tolerances to reduce squeaks and rattles.

Rear visibility is improved by large, curved quarter windows, and the rear screen is proper tinted glass with demister.

The roof itself is made from a durable cloth, with a headliner to provide sound insulation. Improved weatherstripping takes measures against wind noise and water further, and overlapping top cover seams prevent rain dripping onto the side windows.

The new Cabriolet body shell is 23% more rigid and has improved vibration-damping characteristics. Reinforcements have been added around the doors, to the front pillars and to the roof stowage area, which also features cross-rods. Front and rear suspension sub-frames add further rigidity and aid refinement.

In other respects the Cabriolet mirrors the GT. The Celica is a purpose-designed sports coupe, not simply a re-bodied or two-door version of a saloon. Sleek and purposeful, the front of the car is probably the most dramatic and distinctive visual aspect, with four faired-in headlights replacing the pop-up units of recent Celica models. The separate high and low beam lamps are efficient too, throwing a wider and more penetrating beam of light than the previous model on dipped and main beam.

Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, twin-cam, 16 valve 3S-GE engine has a high compression ratio and produces 173bhp at 7,000rpm. Torque is 137 lb ft at 4,800 rpm, and is maintained at high revs, with a flat torque curve. Top speed is 139 mph, and 60 mph comes up in just 7.9 seconds from a standing start. The Celica is front-wheel driven via a five-speed gearbox.

MacPherson strut suspension gives excellent stability, handling and grip. Brakes are ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear with electronic ABS. In addition to the crash-absorbing body structure and rigid cabin, side-impact protection beams are fitted in the doors.

Through extensive use of galvanized and zinc iron alloy double-layer steel sheet, the Celica is highly corrosion resistant.

Inside, the gear lever and important facia controls are located close to the driver, with a wrap-around dashboard design for outstanding clarity and ergonomics. A driver's side airbag is standard equipment. 50 too is leather upholstery, electric windows, power steering with an adjustable column, an RD5/EON radio/cassette unit mated to four full-range speakers, and remote central locking. The car is protected by the state-of-the-art Toyota 5000 security system with immobiliser as assessed by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham.

In GT-Four (turbocharged, four-wheel drive) form Celicas have won the World Rally Championship for Makes for the past two seasons, and the World Rally Championship for Drivers three times in the 1990s. This year's title will be decided on the RAC Rally in November, and going into the rally the table is led by Toyota's Didier Auriol.

The Celica Cabriolet will cost £27,975. Like all (non-turbo) Toyotas, it requires servicing every 9,000 miles only, and comes with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty and membership of the RAC and Club Toyota.



For further information contact Mark Carbery,
Tel: 01737 768585.

[madmods]

Cooool I rest my case

[creis]

my chiltons repair manual seems to tell a diff. story, and shows that they have a diff rear suspention, shocks are the same but all the suspention support etc is much diff.

[jgreening]

The valving is different in the struts - probably to accomodate the extra weight. Thats it.

[blu94gt]

[quote=nitemare,Mar 11, 2005 - 4:38 PM]
Do you have a 95-97 nightmare or 98-99? The reason I ask is that I have read that they replaced the top motors in 98 and I have yet to find someone with a 98-99 that have had any problems. There are several 95-97 owners that have had problems though.
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[/quote]

95 is the year I got..So I guess toyota noticed alot of problems with the motors...More than normal..
And yes, One owner owned the car before me. And no parts were changed/modified. The top was the original. What actually made me replace the top was we had a snow storm. The weight of the snow (about 8 inches) broke the back window off the top and fell into my back seat. The reason why this happened was because the seams of the top were all worn and torn. So the snow was the breaking straw. My new top has a 3-yr warranty with it so thats good. So I can attribute that to old age..

But the motors..ohh the motors..If I knew before hand these cars were chopped up like they were, I would have not have bought a convertible celica.
[right][snapback]256215[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Convertible tops on any car are doing good to last about 5-7 years. I mean come on, it's cloth, it sits in the sun, deals with the elements, it needs replaced. Especially if you put the top up and down a lot, puts more wear and tear on it at the creases. Motors are the same story, just cheap electric motors, they burn up. My Mustang had it all replaced before I bought it.

As said, most convertible cars are chopped by an aftermarket company. The company beefs up the suspension and chassis and designs and installs the convertible mechanisms. If they were unsafe to chop then they wouldn't be doing it. Some cars ahve been done better than others too. The Solara I think has a bad chop quality, but the Celica was done very well. I mean come on, if it was a bad idea they really would have stopped by now.

For you guys with the welds underneath I can think of a few possibilities. Either a different company did the job, someone wanted additional strengthening, or the cars have been wrecked and those welded bars are actually what's holding the car together, like when they piece a good front end to a good back end. Scary what some of these small shops and dealerships do.

[droptopGT]

droptops RULE

[juBz86]

yea!! but they suck in snow

[jgreening]

yea!! but they suck in snow
[right][snapback]266665[/snapback][/right]

Mine is great in the snow and I have a little more torque than you. Maybe you need some new tires?

[juBz86]

no i meant that its colder in the snow!! and that i hate having a convertible in the snow where its worthless(bad choice of words but i dont know wat other word to use)! can wait for summer

[jgreening]

no i meant that its colder in the snow!! and that i hate having a convertible in the snow where its worthless(bad choice of words but i dont know wat other word to use)! can wait for summer
[right][snapback]266689[/snapback][/right]

Maybe you could say "they suck in the cold" if thats what you mean. However, my experience is the car stays nice and toasty on even the coldest days. Perhaps you need a new heater?